Systems, methods, and devices for generating a shipment order based on wireless tracker information

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, methods, and devices for generating a shipment order based on wireless tracker information. Embodiments may include a computer server that stores a shipment origin for a shipment. Further, embodiments include a wireless tracker associated with the shipment that determines first current location(s) for the wireless tracker using a global positioning system (GPS) and sends the first current location(s) of the wireless tracker to the computer server. In addition, the computer server may receive the first current location(s) from the wireless tracker as well as determine whether the one of the first current locations is outside a shipment origin geo-zone. Moreover, embodiments may determine one or more shipment destinations based on the shipment origin, one of the first current locations, and a predefined list of shipment locations and generate a shipment order based on the one or more shipment destinations and shipment origin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/743,178, filed on Jun. 18, 2015, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/656,189 filed on Mar. 12, 2015 and U.S. Patent Application No.61/951,555 filed on Mar. 12, 2014, each of which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Many companies ship products to customers or ship product parts or othersupplies to different offices within a company that are in geographicdisparate locations or receive raw materials or semi finished productsor finished goods from one or more suppliers. Traditionally,conventional shipment delivery systems track a shipment from a shipmentorigin to a shipment destination. Typically, the shipper generates ashipment order that includes a shipment label with a unique identifierthat references the shipment (e.g. Serial Shipping Container Code(SSCC), Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), Billing of Lading (BOL), LorryReceipt (LR), or any other reference number) in the form of a humanreadable and/or scanning code (e.g. bar code, QR code, or any othersymbology). Such a code is used by the shipment delivery company totrack the shipment at each intermediate location along the path from theshipment origin and the shipment destination. Typically in scanned basedlogistics, the third party transporter who picks up the shipments fromthe shipment origin for delivery generates another reference humanreadable and/or scanning code number also called a package trackingnumber. When the shipment has reached an intermediate location orshipment destination, this code on the shipment label is scanned byshipment delivery personnel and recorded into a computer system,operated by a shipment delivery company. Further, a notification(typically in the form of an email) may be delivered to the shipper tonotify them as to the progress of the shipment. This system is prone todelays and the shipper may only know about the shipment progress whenthe transporter's package tracking number is scanned at fixed points inthe supply chain. Most times, these package tracking numbers are notassociated with shipper's shipment reference number making it difficultto cross reference orders with shipment containers (such as a box,pallet, Less Than Truck Load (LTL, Full Truck Load (FTL), containers,bulk consignments and others).

Such conventional scan-based shipment systems can be difficult to use byboth the shipper and company personnel of the shipment delivery company.For instance, a shipment order needs to be generated prior to the startof the shipment being delivered. Entering shipment information for ashipment order is time consuming and tedious as well as error-prone asindividuals may need to enter information in a hurry (thereby causingmistakes) as the several shipments need to be generated at once by theshipper. It may also require the shipper to associate the shipment ordernumber with the transporter's own tracking number creating a myriad ofcross reference issues or problems, making it difficult to track theseshipments in transit.

Accordingly, there is a need for a sensor based shipment systems,methods, and devices for generating a shipment order based on wirelesstracker information. Thus, if the shipper does not have the need toeither generate a shipment order prior to the start of shipment or needto enter shipment information for the shipment, mistakes as well as theeffort in entering shipment information into the shipment deliverysystems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2G are maps showing an implementation of a system forgenerating a shipment order based on wireless tracker information, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are functional block diagrams of a wireless tracker, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4-5 are functional block diagrams of devices used for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6G are flowcharts that illustrates methods for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description,drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments maybe utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from thescope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readilyunderstood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generallydescribed herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged,substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety ofdifference configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplatedherein. Further, in the foregoing description, numerous details are setforth to further describe and explain one or more embodiments. Thesedetails include system configurations, block module diagrams, flowcharts(including transaction diagrams), and accompanying written description.While these details are helpful to explain one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that thesespecific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be embodied as an apparatus that incorporates somesoftware components. Accordingly, some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, or portions thereof, may combine one or more hardwarecomponents such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, or digitalsequential logic, etc., such as processor with one or more softwarecomponents (e.g., program code, firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.) stored in a tangible computer-readable memory device such as atangible computer memory device, that in combination form a specificallyconfigured apparatus that performs the functions as described herein.These combinations that form specially-programmed devices may begenerally referred to herein as “modules”. The software componentportions of the modules may be written in any computer language and maybe a portion of a monolithic code base, or may be developed in morediscrete code portions such as is typical in object-oriented computerlanguages. In addition, the modules may be distributed across aplurality of computer platforms, servers, terminals, mobile devices andthe like. A given module may even be implemented such that the describedfunctions are performed by separate processors and/or computing hardwareplatforms.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, methods, anddevices for generating a shipment order based on wireless trackerinformation. Such embodiments may include a computer server that storesa shipment origin for a shipment. Further, such embodiments include awireless tracker associated with the shipment that determines one ormore first current locations for the wireless tracker using a globalpositioning system (GPS) and/or through Global System for Mobiles (GSM)and sends the first current location(s) of the wireless tracker to thecomputer server. In addition, the computer server may receive the one ormore first current locations from the wireless tracker as well asdetermine whether the one of the first current locations is outside ashipment origin geo-zone. Moreover, such embodiments may determine oneor more shipment destinations based on the shipment origin, one of thefirst current locations, and a predefined list of shipment locations aswell as generate a shipment order based on the one or more shipmentdestinations and shipment origin.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system 100 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. Such a system 100 includes one or more computerservers 102 that may host a web portal 104 or other user portal. A userdevice 116 such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, anddesktop computer may access the web portal 104 over the Internet 108.Alternatively, a user device 114 may access the computer server(s) 102across a mobile network 106. In addition, a shipment with a wirelesstracker 112 may be on a shipping transportation vehicle 110 and is incommunication with the computer server(s) 102 over the mobile network106.

The system 100 allows a shipment order to be automatically generated bythe computer server(s) for a shipper based on the information receivedfrom the wireless tracker as well as a predefined list of shipmentlocations. A shipper may be a company or any entity that uses shipmentservices to deliver goods across geographical disparate shipmentlocations. For example, shipment locations for a shipper may correspondto origin, destination or intermediate transit points that are typicallymanufacturing plants, distribution centers, warehouses, stores, depotsor research and development facilities. The predefined list of shipmentlocations may be received or determined by the computer server(s) 102 indifferent ways and may be marked as shipment origins, shipmentdestinations or both or intermediate way points. In one embodiment, ashipper may use a user device (114, 116) to access a web portal 104 thenenter the predefined list of shipment locations such that the predefinedlist of shipment locations can be stored by the computer server(s). Insecond embodiment, the shipper's order management system is seamlessintegrated with web portal (104) and exchanging and updating shipmentorder information automatically in computer server(s) 102. In anotherembodiment, the wireless tracker 112 provides the computer server(s) 102with its current location and a time period the wireless tracker hasremained stationary. With such information the computer server(s) thendetermines whether the current location of the wireless tracker is apre-defined shipment location or a new location. By determining shipmentlocations in this manner, the computer server(s) can construct apredefined list of shipment locations in such an ad-hoc scheme.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a map 200 of western North America is shown aswell as an example predefined list 214 of shipment locations. A map 200and the predefined list of shipment locations include cities such as SanJose 202, San Francisco 204, Sacramento 206, Portland 208, Seattle 210,and Vancouver 212. These cities (202-212) are locations where a shipmentmay originate, be destined, or be an intermediate point (e.g. waypoint)for shipment delivery. Such a predefined list of shipment locations maybe received by the computer server(s) 102 from a shipper computingdevice (114-116). Note, the shipper computing device may include, but isnot limited to, shipper user device (e.g. laptop computer, notebookcomputer, desktop computer, tablet computer, etc.) or a shipper computerserver. Further, the computer server(s) 102 stores the predefined listof shipment locations in a storage device coupled to the computerserver(s) 102.

Prior to a shipment order being generated, a wireless tracker 112affixed, coupled or otherwise associated to contents of the shipmentdetermines a location for the wireless tracker using a globalpositioning system (GPS) or GSM. Alternatively, the location for thewireless location can be found using GSM triangulation. Persons ofordinary kill in the art would understand that a location determinedusing a GPS can also be found using GSM triangulation. Thus, locationdetermination and location determination systems, devices, and methodsas described herein can be found either through a GPS or through GSMtriangulation.

Such a determined location of the wireless tracker is provided to thecomputer server(s) 102. The computer server(s) 102 compare the providedlocation of the wireless tracker 112 to the predefined list of shipperlocations. If the location of the wireless tracker 112 is determined bythe computer server(s) 102 to be within a certain threshold of distance(configurable by the operator, manufacturer, user, etc. of the system orby another integrated system(s)) to one of the shipper locations on thepredefined list, then the computer server(s) 102 stores such adetermined shipper location as the shipment origin (or intermediatelocation). However, if the location of the wireless tracker 112 isdetermined not to be within a certain threshold of distance to one ofthe shipper locations on the predefined list, then the computerserver(s) 102 does not designate a shipment origin at that time.

Further, if a shipment origin is determined and stored by the computerserver(s) 102, the wireless tracker 112 associated with the shipment mayfurther determine one or more further current locations for the wirelesstracker 112 as the shipment is being delivered using a GPS. In addition,the wireless tracker 112 may send the one or more further currentlocations of the wireless tracker 112 to the computer server(s) 102. Thewireless tracker 112 may be programmed or configured to determine itscurrent location at regular time intervals, irregular time intervals,regular distance intervals, irregular distance intervals, or any otherinterval. For example, the wireless tracker may be configured todetermine using location determination methods that the wireless trackerhas exited a geo-zone. Further, a geo-zone may be of any geometry orarbitrary shape around the shipment location. Such a geo-zone may be anyregular or irregular shape (See FIG. 2B). In addition, the computerserver(s) 102, automatically (configured) or upon a user input, send arequest to the wireless tracker 112 to provide its current location.

Moreover, the computer server(s) 102 receives the one or more currentlocations from the wireless tracker 112. Subsequently, the computerserver(s) 102 may determine whether the one of the current locations ofthe wireless tracker 112 is outside a shipment origin geo-zone (See FIG.2B).

Referring to FIG. 2B, a more detailed map 220 of the map 202 in FIG. 2Ais shown. The detailed map 220 includes shipper locations San Jose 202and San Francisco 204. A wireless tracker 112 associated with a shipmentprovides a current location 224 to the computer server(s) 102. Further,the computer server(s) 102 determine that the shipment origin to be SanJose 202. In addition, the wireless tracker 112 may provide a furthercurrent location 226 along Interstate Highway 280. Such a furthercurrent location 226 is determined to be outside a shipment origingeo-zone 222. Such a shipment geo-zone or any other geo-zones may beprogrammed or configured into the computer server(s) 102. Further,geo-zones may be configured to be any regular or irregular shape.

In a further embodiment, the wireless tracker 112 determines additionalcurrent locations of the wireless tracker 112 and sends the additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 to the computer server102. Further, the computer server(s) 102 receive the additional currentlocations of the wireless tracker 112 and sends a notification to ashipper computing device (114-116) that includes one of the additionalcurrent locations of the wireless tracker 112. Thus, referring to FIG.2B, upon receiving current location 226 from the wireless tracker 112,the computer server(s) 102 may send a notification that includes thecurrent location 226 to the shipper computing device (114-116) informingthe shipper a start of the shipment delivery or the progress of theshipment delivery.

In another embodiment, once the computer server(s) 102 determines thatthe shipment is outside the shipment origin geo-zone 222, then thecomputer server(s) determine a one or more possible shipmentdestinations based on the shipment origin, one of the current locations,and a predefined list of shipment locations. Referring to FIG. 2C thatshows map 200 and a current location 226 of the wireless tracker 112. Atthis location, the computer server(s) 102 may determine that SanFrancisco 204, Sacramento 206, Portland 208, Seattle 210 and Vancouver212 are possible shipment destinations based on San Jose 202 being theshipment origin and the shipment is traveling in a northerly direction.This may be determined by the computer server(s) 102 by analyzing thepredefined list of shipper locations 214 as well as map data as shown inmap 200. Further, the computer server(s) 102 may calculate a directionof travel based on the current location of the wireless tracker 102 anda previous location of the wireless tracker (such as location 224 shownin FIG. 2B). In the example shown in FIG. 2B-2C show that the directionof travel of the shipment to be north of San Jose 202. Thus, if therewere any shipper locations on the predefined list that are south of SanJose (e.g. Santa Cruz, not shown) then such shipper locations would notbe considered possible shipment destinations by the computer server(s).

The computer server(s) may then generate a shipment order based on thepossible one or more shipment destinations and the shipment origin. Ashipment order includes, but is not limited to, an order associated witha shipment having a shipment origin and a possible destination. The costof delivering the shipment is based at least in part on the distancebetween the shipment origin and the shipment destination. (Other factorsthat affect cost of delivery include weight of shipment, shipment type,etc.). However, a shipment order may also include, but is not limitedto, an order associated with the shipment having a shipment origin andone or more possible shipment destinations. The cost of the deliveringthe shipment from the shipment origin to one or more possibledestination may be determined by the computer server(s) based onconfigured or programmed metrics.

In one embodiment, the computer server(s) 102 may receive contentinformation regarding the shipment, either from a shipper computingdevice (114-116) or a computer operated by the shipment deliverycompany. Further, the computer server(s) 102 store the contentinformation regarding the shipment. In such an embodiment, the shipmentorder may be generated based on the content information in addition tothe shipment origin and possible shipment destinations.

In other embodiments, the computer server(s) 102 may generate theshipment order based on one or more predefined templates and shipmentattributes. Predefined templates include the look, feel, and overallaesthetic appearance of the shipment order as well as the format andrequired shipper information needed in every shipment order (e.g.shipper address, telephone number, shipper contact person, etc.).Shipment attributes includes shipment contents, weight, size, domesticor international, type of travel (e.g. ground, air, sea, drone,multi-modal etc.), expediency (e.g. next-day delivery, two-day delivery,standard delivery, etc.) as well as any other shipment attributes. Forexample a predefined template for shipment order may have all theattributes to infer that all shipments of product type iPhone 5S 16 GB,White will originate from San Jose (202) and of the many pre-definedshipment delivery destinations can only be delivered to Vancouver (212),Seattle (210) locations.

Further, a shipper may receive at a shipper computing device (114-116) anotification of a generated shipment order. Upon reviewing the shipmentorder, a shipper or shipper personnel may use one or more modulesimplemented by the shipper computing device (114-116) to edit theshipment order based on user input entered into a user interface of theshipper computing device (114-116). Further, the computer server(s) 102receives user input to edit the shipment order. Such edits may include,but are not limited to, changing the shipment destination, contents ofthe shipments, or any shipment attributes.

In further embodiments, the computer server(s) 102 determine that one ofthe possible shipment destinations is excluded based on the one of thecurrent locations of the wireless tracker 112. For example, referring toFIG. 2C, a current location 228 of the wireless tracker 112 shows thatthe shipment is traveling north on Interstate Highway 5 (230) based onthe previous locations (224, 226) of the wireless tracker 112. Thus,when comparing the current location 228 of the wireless tracker 112, thedirection of travel (e.g. north), and the predefined list of shipperlocations, the computer server(s) 102 determines to exclude SanFrancisco 204 and Sacramento 206 as possible shipment destinationsthereby generating or updating the shipment order.

In another embodiment, the wireless tracker 112 may determine one ormore additional current locations of the wireless tracker 112. Further,the wireless tracker 112 sends the additional current locations of thewireless tracker 112 to the computer server(s) 102. Upon receivingadditional current locations of the wireless tracker 112, the computerserver(s) may determine an exact shipment destination based on somecriteria and determine an (updated) estimated time to arrival based onone of the additional current locations. Further, the computer server(s)102 may send a notification to a shipper computing device (114-116) withthe (updated) estimated time to arrival.

Referring to FIG. 2D, additional current locations may be at point 231and 232 and a previous current location may be 228, all of which havebeen transmitted to the computer server(s) 102 by the wireless tracker112. Upon analyzing previous current location 228 with the map data 200and predefined list of shipper locations, the computer server(s) 102 maydetermine that possible shipment destinations include Portland 208,Seattle 210, and Vancouver 212. Further, upon analyzing additionalcurrent location 231 with the map data 200 and predefined list ofshipper locations, the computer server(s) 102 may determine thatpossible shipment destinations include only Seattle 210 and Vancouver212 excluding Portland 208. In addition, upon analyzing additionalcurrent location 232 with the map data 200 and predefined list ofshipper locations, the computer server(s) 102 may determine that exactshipment destination is Vancouver 212.

In additional embodiment, the computer server(s) may use furtheranalytics and statistical probabilities to determine the exact shipmentdestination prior to receiving the additional current location 232. Forexample, upon receiving additional current location 230, the computerserver(s) may determine that the possible shipments destinations includeSeattle 210 and Vancouver 212. However, the time of day may be around9:30 am. Computer server(s) 102 analyze prior delivery information forthe shipper and determine that when a shipment is at or near additionalcurrent location 230 in the morning around 9:30 am, there is a highlikelihood (e.g. 87%) that the shipment is destined to Vancouver 212rather than Seattle 210. However, in an alternate example, when the timeof day for the shipment at or near additional current location 230 isabout 3:30 pm, then the computer server(s) 102 may determine that thereis a high likelihood (e.g. 92%) that the shipment is destined forSeattle 210 rather than Vancouver 212 based on the prior deliveryinformation. Computer server(s) 102 may process other analytics andstatistics to determine likelihood of shipment destination as well asshipment delivery route including traffic, weather, types of roads, timeof day, time of year, temporal distance to possible destinations, etc.

Upon determining a shipment destination, the computer server(s) 102 maysend a notification to a shipper computing device (114-116) thatincludes an estimated time of arrival for the shipment based on theshipment destination and prior route delivery information for theshipment destination.

In another embodiment, the wireless tracker 112 determines additionalcurrent locations of the wireless tracker 112 such as location 234 (SeeFIGS. 2D and 2E). Further, the wireless tracker 112 sends the additionalcurrent locations of the wireless tracker 112 to the computer server(s)102. In addition, the computer server(s) receive the additional currentlocations of the wireless tracker 112. Moreover, the computer server(s)determine whether the shipment has reached the shipment destinationbased on additional current location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 andwhether such additional current location is within a destinationgeo-zone 236 (See map 240 in FIG. 2E). Also, the computer server(s) maysend a notification to a shipper computing device (114-116) that theshipment has reached the shipment destination based on one of theadditional current locations is within the destination geo-zone.

In other embodiments, the wireless tracker 112 determines additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 and sends the additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 to the computerserver(s) 102. Further, the computer server(s) receive additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112. In addition, thecomputer server(s) determines a route deviation of the shipment based onone of the additional current location(s), the shipment destination, andprior route delivery information and sends a notification to a shippercomputing device (114-116) that the there is a route deviation of theshipment.

Referring to FIG. 2F, computer server(s) 102 receive a location 242 fromthe wireless tracker 112. The computer server(s) analyze the location242 as well as the shipment destination or possible shipmentdestinations in addition to prior route delivery information. That is,prior route delivery information may indicate that the any shipmentdestined to either Seattle 210 or Vancouver 212 from Portland 208travels north on Interstate 5 (230). However, the additional currentlocation 242 indicates that there is a route deviation, namely, that theshipment is heading west on Interstate 84 (244). Upon determining aroute deviation, computer server(s) 102 sends a notification of such aroute deviation to a shipper computing device (114-116) and/or updatedestimated time of arrival based on the route deviation.

In further embodiments, the wireless tracker 112 determines additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 and sends the additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 to the computerserver(s) 102. Further, the computer server(s) receive the additionalcurrent location(s) of the wireless tracker 112 and determines thatshipment has cleared customs, state lines, or country borders based onone of the additional current locations and at least one of a predefinedlist of customs locations or predefined list geo-zones surrounding acustoms location, state line, or country border. In addition, thecomputer server(s) sends a notification to a shipper computing devicethat the shipment cleared customs, state lines, or country borders.

Referring to FIG. 2G, the map 240 shows an additional current location248 that has cleared geo-zone 246 that is associated with a customslocation. Such a customs location is along the US-Canada country border250. Thus, when the computer server(s) 102 receive the additionalcurrent location 248 and determines that the shipment has cleared eithercustoms or the country border, the computer server(s) may send anotification indicating as such to the shipper computing device(114-116).

In additional embodiments, the wireless tracker 112 determinesadditional current location(s) and sensor information from one or moresensors of the wireless tracker and sends the additional currentlocations and corresponding time for each additional current location aswell as sensor information of the wireless tracker 112 to the computerserver(s) 102. Further, the computer server(s) receive the additionalcurrent locations of the wireless tracker 112 and corresponding time,and sensor information and determines a trigger event occurred based onat least one of the additional current locations, corresponding time, orsensor information. In addition, the computer server(s) sends anotification to a shipper computing device (114-116) that includes thetrigger event. Moreover, a trigger event includes, but is not limitedto, a shipment exiting shipment origin, delay at an intermediatelocation, traveling after a delay, temperature deviation, humiditydeviation, route deviation, accident to delivery vehicle (based onexceeding a threshold level of shock), difference in mode oftransportation and shock to the delivery vehicle. Sensor may include,but are not limited to, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, locationsensors, proximity sensors, accelerometers, acoustic, sound, vibration,automotive, transportation, chemical, electric current, electricpotential, magnetic, radio, environment, weather, moisture, flow, fluidvelocity, ionizing radiation, subatomic particles, navigationinstruments, position, angle, displacement, distance, speed,acceleration, optical light, imaging, photon, pressure, force, density,level, thermal, heat, temperature, proximity, altimeter (altitudesensor), a location and presence, etc.

Another embodiment of the system in FIG. 1 may include a wirelesstracker 112 associated with a shipment that determines a location forthe wireless tracker 112 at each of a plurality of times from a globalpositioning system then sends two or more locations of the wirelesstracker to one or more computer servers. Further, the computer serverreceives the two or more locations of the wireless tracker andcalculates a vector for the shipment based on the two or more locationsof the wireless tracker. In addition, the computer server determines ashipment origin and shipment destination of the shipment based on thevector of the shipment and a past shipment origin-destination pairs andgenerates a shipment order based on the vector.

Another embodiment of the system in FIG. 1 , includes the ability forthe shipper to review all the location points across all shipments forany given time period that are not pre-defined locations and choose oneor many of these undefined locations and update the list of pre-definedlocations by tagging it as an origin, destination, or an intermediatepoint in transit.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are functional block diagrams of a wireless tracker 300,in accordance with some embodiments. Referring to FIG. 3A, the wirelesstracker 300 includes mail and response card box 301, communicationmodule 310 and authentication module 304 that is a bolted onto anintegrated circuit board. A passive radio frequency identification(RFID) tag 308 is affixed to the card box 301 and programmed to have aunique identity/identification.

The wireless tracker 300 may be manufactured and operated in part by athird party manufacturer but is used by a shipper or shipment deliverycompany. The third party manufacturer may own or operate one or morecomputer servers to communicate with the wireless tracker 300 over oneor more wireless communication networks using the communication module310. Further, the communication module 310 may be include one orcommunication interfaces configured to communicate over various wirelessnetworks such as GPS, Zigbee, Zwave, WiFi, cellular/mobile, Bluetooth,WiMAX or any other wireless communication network. In addition, thecommunication module may have an interface to communicate with otherdevices over a wired network or a wired interface such as an Ethernetcable or USB interface. Such wired connections may be implemented whenfirst configuring the wireless tracker 300 by the third partymanufacturer prior to use.

The authentication module 304 is used to track the chain of custody ofthe shipment associated with the wireless tracker 300. In oneembodiment, a shipper at a shipment origin may enter an authenticationcode into the authentication module 304. The authentication module 304verifies the code either locally or transfer the authentication code toa computer server for verification. Once, the authentication code isverified the shipment with the wireless tracker 300 is shipped to thedestination. A packing slip inside the shipment includes anotherauthentication code. Upon receiving the shipment at the shipmentdestination, a receiver of the shipment may open the shipment to accessthe authentication code on the packing slip. The authentication code isentered through the user interface of the wireless tracker 300 orremotely through a remote computer device into the authentication module304 and verified (either locally or at a server). In addition, theverification may include determining whether the wireless tracker 300 isat the shipment destination in accordance with the shipment order.

The RFID tag 308 is used to uniquely identify the wireless tracker 300.Thus, when the RFID tag is read at the shipment origin, the RFID tag isstored by the server and associated with the shipment. The RFID tag 308may be read again at the shipment destination to verify the RFID tag isthe same as the one read at the shipment origin.

The mail and response card box 301 allows the receiver at the shipmentdestination to mail the wireless tracker 300 back to the shipment originor to a central location (e.g. shipper principal shipping location,third party manufacturer, etc.) to be reused for on another shipment.The sensor/power management module 312 manages the sensors and thebattery power on the wireless tracker 300. This includes configuring thesensors and battery as well as receiving the status of the sensors andbattery.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a side of the wireless tracker 300 may have one ormore panels (316-326) as well as a foam pad 314. The foam pad 314 may beused to cushion or otherwise reduce vibration impacting the wirelesstracker 300. Further, the shipping address may be entered onto panel 316and associated prepaid postage affixed on panel 318. In addition, theReturn to Sender Address may be entered onto panel 324 and associatedprepaid postage affixed on panel 326. Advertisements may be affixed ontoto panels 320 and 324 for additional revenue for the shipper, shipmentdelivery company, or third party manufacturer of the wireless tracker300.

FIG. 4 is functional block diagram of a computer server for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. Such a server 405 may be used in a system shown inFIG. 1 . The computer server 405 may include several differentcomponents such as a processor bank 410, storage device bank 415, one ormore software applications, which may be executed by a processor. Thus,the combination of the software applications as well as the processorand any other hardware form specifically-configured modules 417. Thecomputer server 405 also has one or more communication interfaces(435-450). The processor bank 410 may include one or more processorsthat may be co-located with each other or may be located in differentparts of the computer server 405. The storage device bank 415 mayinclude one or more storage devices. Types of storage devices mayinclude electronic memory, optical memory, and removable storage media.The one or more modules 417 may include, but are not limited to, ashipment order generation module 420, database management module 422,notification/user Input module 424, location processing module 426,route processing module 428, and control module 430. The modules 417 maybe implemented by the one or more processors in the processor bank 410.

The computer server 405 and any other server described in the presentdisclosure may include a database stored in a storage device bank or maybe coupled to a database. Further, such a computer server may be part ofa computer server system described herein that may include one or morecomputer servers and one or more databases. In the present disclosure, acomputer server may, but not always, refer to embodiments that include acomputer server system having one or more computer servers and one ormore databases coupled to each other. The one or more computer serversmay be co-located with each other or distributed among differentlocations. Likewise, the one or more one or more databases may beco-located with each other or distributed among different locations. Infurther embodiments, some of the one or more computer servers may beco-located and coupled to the one or more databases while in additionalembodiments some of the one or more computer servers may be coupled tothe one or more databases each of which are placed in differentlocation. In still further embodiments, a computer server system mayrefer to at least one of a computer server and a database. Thecomponents shown in FIG. 4 may be located in one computer server or bedistributed among more than one computer server and/or databases.

The shipment order generation module 420 receives shipment informationand processes such shipment information to generate a shipment order.Such shipment information may include a predefined list of shipmentlocation, contents of the shipment, predefined templates for a shipmentorder, predefined list of geo-zones, and shipment attributes asdescribed herein. In addition, the location processing module 426 androute processing module 428 may provide the shipment order generationmodule 420 with information to determine a shipment origin as well asone or more shipment destinations. The shipment order generation module420 generates a shipment order based on the one or more shipmentdestination and the shipment origin.

The database management module 422 manages the storage and access ofshipment information used to either generate a shipment order ordetermine a trigger event to notify a shipper. Such shipment informationmay include predefined list of shipment location, contents of theshipment, predefined templates for a shipment order, list of geo-zones,and shipment attributes as described herein. Further, the databasemanagement module 422 may store one or more locations of the shipmentthat is provided by a wireless tracker. In addition, the databasemanagement module 422 may store information from one or more sensorscoupled to and provided by the wireless tracker. Such locationinformation and sensor information may be used to generate a shipmentorder and/or to determine a trigger event to notify the shipper.

The notification/user input module 424 may perform several differentfunctions. One such function may be to receive user input from a shippercomputing device. Such user input may be shipment information suchshipment contents, shipment locations, etc. Such information may be usedto edit a shipment order. Another function of the notification/userinput module 424 to provide a notification based on a trigger event tothe shipper computing device. A notification may be generated based on atrigger event determined by the different modules of the computer server405 such as, but not limited to, the shipment order generation module420, location processing module 426, and the route processing module428.

The location processing module 426 may determine the location of theshipment based on one or more current locations received from thewireless tracker. Further, the location processing module 426 may accessa Global Positioning System (GPS) information (e.g. map information) aswell as geo-zone information surrounding one or more shipment locations.The location processing module 426 may process such information todetermine one or more trigger events. Such trigger events may use thelocation processing module 426 to communicate with the notification/userinput module 424 to send a notification based on the trigger event tothe shipper computing device. In addition, once a location is determinedby the location processing module 426, such location and associatedlocation information may be provided to the route processing module 428.

For example, the location processing module 426 may receive a locationof the shipment from the wireless tracker that indicates that theshipment is at the shipment origin. Further, the location processingmodule 426 has access to information that there is geo-zone surroundingthe shipment origin. Subsequently, the location processing module 426may receive a location of the shipment from the wireless tracker thatindicates that the shipment has exited the geo-zone surrounding theshipment origin. The location processing module 426 determines that suchan event is a trigger event and thereby communicates with thenotification/user input module 424 to send a notification to the shippercomputing device that the shipment has left the shipment origin.

The location processing module 426 may determine other trigger eventsthat may cause a notification to the shipper computing device. Suchtrigger events may include estimating the time of arrival for theshipment based on the shipment destination and prior route deliveryinformation for the shipment destination. Prior route deliveryinformation may be stored and managed by the database management module422. Further, the location processing module 426 may determine based ona current location received from the wireless tracker that the shipmenthas reached the shipment destination. In addition, the locationprocessing module 426 may determine that a current location receivedfrom the wireless tracker has delayed the shipment and computes anupdated estimated time for arrival time that is notified to the shippercomputing device. Moreover, the location processing module 426 mayreceive one or more current locations of the wireless tracker todetermine that the shipment has cleared customs, state lines, or countryborders. The location processing module 426, at a preconfigured time orlocation of the wireless tracker, or upon request, provide the currentlocation to the notification/user input module 424 to notify the currentlocation of the shipment to the shipper computing device.

The route processing module 428 may receive one or more currentlocations of the wireless tracker from the location processing module426. Further, the route processing module 428 may determine a shipmentorigin as well as possible shipment destinations based on the one ormore current locations of the wireless tracker. In addition, the routeprocessing module 428 may receive one or more additional currentlocations of the wireless tracker as well as access then process priorroute delivery information and determines one of the possible shipmentdestinations are to excluded based on the one or more additional currentlocations. Moreover, the route processing module 428 may receive acurrent location of the wireless tracker and determines that theshipment has made a route deviation. Such a route deviation iscommunicated to the notification/user input module 424 to notify theshipper computing device.

The control module 430 includes software and hardware functions thatassist in performing certain tasks for the computer serve 405 such asproviding access to a communication link (e.g. wired, wireless,Bluetooth, infra-red, RF, etc.), executing an operating system, managingsoftware drivers for peripheral components, and processing information.In addition, the control module 430 may also include software driversfor peripheral components, user interface computer programs, debuggingand troubleshooting software tools. Also, the control module 430 mayinclude an operating system. Such operating systems are known in the artfor computer server 405 and may include computer operating systems (e.g.Windows, Linux, UNIX, and MacOS, etc.).

Each of the communication interfaces (435-450) may be software orhardware associated in communicating to other devices. The communicationinterfaces (435-450) may be of different types that include a userinterface, USB, Ethernet, WiFi, WiMax, wireless, optical, cellular, orany other communication interface coupled to a communication network.One or more of the communication interfaces (435-450) may be coupled toa user interface known in the art.

An intra-device communication link 455 between the processor bank 410,storage device bank 415, modules 417, and communication interfaces(435-450) may be one of several types that include a bus or othercommunication mechanism.

FIG. 5 is functional block diagram of a shipper computing device 505 forgenerating a shipment order as well as receiving trigger eventnotifications based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. Such a shipper computing device 505 may be used in asystem shown in FIG. 1 . The shipper computing device 505 may includeseveral different components such as a processor bank 510, storagedevice bank 515, one or more software applications, which may beexecuted by a processor. Thus, the combination of the softwareapplications as well as the processor and any other hardware formspecifically-configured modules 517. The shipper computing device 505also has one or more communication interfaces (535-550). The processorbank 510 may include one or more processors that may be co-located witheach other or may be located in different parts of the shipper computingdevice 505. The storage device bank 515 may include one or more storagedevices. Types of storage devices may include electronic memory, opticalmemory, and removable storage media. The one or more modules 517 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a shipment order display module 520 anda notification display/user input module 524. The modules 517 may beimplemented by the one or more processors in the processor bank 510.Examples of shipper computing devices, include, but are not limited to,desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, andany other computing devices.

The shipment order display module 520 may receive (via communicationinterfaces (535-550)) shipment order from one or more computer serversdescribed herein that generated a shipment order based on wirelesstracker information associated with a shipment. Upon reviewing theshipment order, a user of the shipper computing device 505 may edit theshipment order. For example, the user may provide an updated list ofcontents for the shipment. Such user input may be entered into a userinterface (one or of the communication interfaces (535-550)) and may bereceived by the notification display/user input module 524, thentransmitted to one or more computer servers over one of thecommunication interfaces (535-550). Also, the notification display/userinput module 524 may receive a notification from the computer server(s)via the communication interface (535-550) and display such anotification on a user interface.

Each of the communication interfaces (535-550) may be software orhardware associated in communicating to other devices. The communicationinterfaces (535-550) may be of different types that include a userinterface, USB, Ethernet, WiFi, WiMax, wireless, optical, cellular, orany other communication interface coupled to a communication network.One or more of the communication interfaces (535-550) may be coupled toa user interface known in the art.

An intra-device communication link 555 between the processor bank 510,storage device bank 515, modules 517, and communication interfaces(535-550) may be one of several types that include a bus or othercommunication mechanism.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart that illustrates a method 600 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 600 includes storing a shipment origin fora shipment by a computer server, as shown in block 602. Further, themethod 600 includes determining one or more first current locations forthe wireless tracker using a global positioning system (GPS) by awireless tracker, as shown in block 604. In addition, the method 600includes sending the one or more of first current locations of thewireless tracker to the computer server by the wireless tracker, asshown in block 606. Moreover, the method 600 includes receiving thefirst current location of the wireless tracker by the computer server,as shown in block 608. Also, the method 600 includes determining whetherthe first current location is outside a shipment origin geo-zone by thecomputer server, as shown in block 610. Further, the method 600 includesreceiving, by the computer server, the predefined list of shipmentlocations from a shipper computing device from the shipper or ad-hocdescribed herein, as shown in block 611. In addition, the method 600includes storing, by the computer server, the predefined list ofshipment locations in a storage device, as shown in block 612. Moreover,the method 600 includes determining possible shipment destinations, bythe computer server, based on the first current location outside theshipment origin geo-zone and the predefined list of shipment locations,as shown in block 613. Also, the method 600 includes determining, by thecomputer server, that one of the shipment destinations is excluded basedon the one of the first current locations, as shown in block 614.Further, the method 600 includes receiving, by the computer server,content information regarding the shipment, as shown in block 616. Inaddition, the method 600 includes storing, by the computer server, thecontent information regarding the shipment, as shown in block 618.Moreover, the method 600 includes determining a shipment destinationbased on the shipment origin, first current location, and a predefinedlist of shipment locations by the computer server, as shown in block620. Also, the method 600 includes generating a shipment order based onthe shipment destination and shipment origin by the computer server, asshown in block 622. Such a shipment order may be generated based on thecontent information as well as one or more predefined templates andshipment attributes such as editing contents or shipment attributes.Also, the computer server may receive user input to edit the shipmentorder. Further, the method 600 includes sending, by the computer server,a notification to a shipper computing device that includes an estimatedtime of arrival for the shipment based on the shipment destination andprior route delivery information for the shipment destination, as shownin block 624.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart that illustrates a method 625 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 625 includes determining, by the wirelesstracker, one or more second current locations of the wireless tracker,as shown in block 626. Further, the method 625 includes sending, by thewireless tracker, the one or more second current locations of thewireless tracker to the computer server, as shown in block 628. Inaddition, the method 625 includes receiving, by the computer server, theone or more second current locations of the wireless tracker to thecomputer server, as shown in block 630. Moreover, the method 625includes determining, by the computer server, whether the shipment hasreached the shipment destination based on one of the one or more secondcurrent locations of the wireless tracker entering a destinationgeo-zone, as shown in block 632. Also, the method 625 includes sending,by the computer server, a notification to a shipper computing devicethat the shipment has reached the shipment destination based on one ofthe second current locations, as shown in block 634.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart that illustrates a method 635 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 635 includes determining, by the wirelesstracker, one or more second current locations of the wireless tracker,as shown in block 636. Further, the method 635 includes sending, by thewireless tracker, the one or more second current locations of thewireless tracker to the computer server, as shown in block 638. Inaddition, the method 635 includes receiving, by the computer server, oneor more second current locations of the wireless tracker, as shown inblock 640. Moreover, the method 635 includes determining, by thecomputer server, an updated estimated time to arrival based on one ofsecond current locations, as shown in block 642. Also, the method 635includes sending, by the computer server, a notification to a shippercomputing device with the update estimated time to arrival, as shown inblock 644.

FIG. 6D is a flowchart that illustrates a method 645 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 645 includes determining, by the wirelesstracker, one or more second current locations of the wireless tracker,as shown in block 646. Further, the method 645 includes sending, by thewireless tracker, the one or more second current locations of thewireless tracker to the computer server, as shown in block 648. Inaddition, the method 645 includes receiving, by the computer server, theone or more second current locations of the wireless tracker, as shownin block 650. Moreover, the method 645 includes determining, by thecomputer server, a route deviation of the shipment based on one of thesecond current locations, the shipment destination or possible shipmentdestinations, and prior route delivery information, as shown in block652. Also, the method 645 includes sending, by the computer server, anotification to a shipper computing device that the there is a routedeviation of the shipment, as shown in block 654.

FIG. 6E is a flowchart that illustrates a method 655 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 655 include determining, by the wirelesstracker, one or more second current locations of the wireless tracker,as shown in block 656. Further, the method 655 include sending, by thewireless tracker, the one or more second current locations of thewireless tracker to the computer server, as shown in block 658. Inaddition, the method 655 include receiving, by the computer server, theone or more second current locations of the wireless tracker, as shownin block 660. Moreover, the method 655 include determining, by thecomputer server, that shipment has cleared at least one of customs,state lines, and country borders based on one of the second currentlocations and a predefined list of customs locations, as shown in block662. Also, the method 655 include sending, by the computer server, anotification to a shipper computing device that the shipment cleared atleast one of customs, state lines, and country borders, as shown inblock 664.

FIG. 6F is a flowchart that illustrates a method 665 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 665 includes determining, by the wirelesstracker, one or more second current locations of the wireless tracker,as shown in block 666. Further, the method 665 includes sending, by thewireless tracker, the one or more second current locations of thewireless tracker to the computer server, as shown in block 668. Inaddition, the method 665 includes receiving, by the computer server, theone or more second current locations of the wireless tracker, as shownin block 670. Moreover, the method 665 includes sending, by the computerserver, a notification to a shipper computing device that includes oneof the second current locations of the wireless tracker, as shown inblock 672. Such a notification can be provided upon a user request.

FIG. 6G is a flowchart that illustrates a method 675 for generating ashipment order based on wireless tracker information, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 675 includes determining, by the wirelesstracker, one or more second current locations, and sensor informationfrom one or more sensors of the wireless tracker, as shown in block 676.Further, the method 675 includes sending, by the wireless tracker, theone or more second current locations and corresponding time, and sensorinformation of the wireless tracker to the computer server, as shown inblock 678. In addition, the method 675 includes receiving, by thecomputer server, the one or more second current locations of thewireless tracker and corresponding time, and sensor information, asshown in block 680. Moreover, the method 675 includes determining, bythe computer server, a trigger event occurred based on at least onesecond current location, corresponding time, and sensor information, asshown in block 682. Also, the method 675 includes sending, by thecomputer server, a notification to a shipper computing device thatincludes the trigger event, as shown in block 684. A trigger event canbe, but is not limited to, shipment exiting shipment origin, delay at anintermediate location, traveling after a delay, temperature deviation,humidity deviation, route deviation, accident to delivery vehicle, andshock to the delivery vehicle.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art understand that the steps ofmethods described herein can be implemented in any order and not limitedto the order discussed in the present disclosure.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”,“having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . .a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly statedotherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly and notnecessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” ina certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also beconfigured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claims is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, via a computerserver, a first global positioning system (GPS) signal transmitted froma wireless hardware sensor coupled to a shipment at a first point intime; determining that the shipment has left a point of origin based ona comparison of a geographical location included within the receivedfirst GPS signal and a geo-zone programmed into a digital map storedwithin memory of the computer server; in response to determining thatthe shipment has left the point of origin, determining a possibleshipment destination based on a location of origin of the shipment, thegeographical location included in the first GPS signal transmitted fromthe wireless hardware sensor, and map data retrieved from the digitalmap; determining an estimated time of arrival of the shipment based onthe possible shipment destination and one or more analytics; retrievinga digital shipment order template from a storage device; generating ashipment order, via the computer server, by filling in predefined fieldsof the digital shipment order template with tracked routing informationof the shipment including the possible shipment destination and theestimated time of arrival.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting the filled in digital shipment order template to a shippercomputing device.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the computer server, a predefined list of shipmentlocations from the shipper computing device; and storing, by thecomputer server, the predefined list of shipment locations in a storagedevice.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by thecomputer server, content information regarding the shipment from theshipper computing device; and storing, by the computer server, thecontent information regarding the shipment.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the digital shipment order template is filled-in based on one ormore shipment attributes.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a second GPS signal transmitted from the wireless hardwaresensor coupled to the shipment at a second point in time that issubsequent to the first point in time.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining that the shipment is delayed based on acomparison between the geographical location included in the first GPSsignal and a geographical location included in a second GPS signal andthe first and second points in time.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: updating the estimated time of arrival based on thedetermined delay, updating the shipment order based on the updatedestimated time of arrival, and transmitting the updated shipment orderto the shipper computing device.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, by the computer server, whether the shipmenthas reached the shipment destination based on additional GPS signalsreceived from the wireless hardware sensor; and sending, by the computerserver, a notification to the shipper computing device that the shipmenthas reached the shipment destination.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, by the computer server, an additional updatedestimated time to arrival based on additional GPS signals transmittedfrom the wireless hardware sensor; and sending, by the computer server,a notification to the shipper computing device with the additionalupdated estimated time to arrival.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: sending, by the computer server, a notification to theshipper computing device that the there is a route deviation of theshipment based on the first and second GPS signals received from thewireless hardware sensor.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, by the computer server, that shipment has cleared at leastone of customs, state lines, and country borders based on additional GPSsignals transmitted from the wireless hardware sensor and a predefinedlist of customs locations; and sending, by the computer server, anotification to the shipper computing device that the shipment clearedat least one of customs, state lines, and country borders.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: sending, by the computer server,a notification to the shipper computing device that includes additionallocations included in additional GPS signals transmitted from thewireless hardware sensor.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, by the computer server, that the shipment has remainedstationary at a location for longer than a time threshold.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising: determining, by the computerserver, that the shipment is at the shipment location when the shipmenthas remained stationary for longer than the time threshold; and sending,by the computer server, a notification to the shipper computing devicethat includes the shipment location and time.
 16. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining, by the computer server, a trigger eventoccurred based on additional GPS signals transmitted from the wirelesshardware sensor, corresponding time, and sensor information; andsending, by the computer server, a notification to the shipper computingdevice that includes notification of the trigger event.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the trigger event is at least one of a shipmentexiting shipment origin, delay at an intermediate location, travelingafter a delay, temperature deviation, humidity deviation, routedeviation, accident to delivery vehicle, and shock to the deliveryvehicle.
 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, bythe computer server, information indicative of another current locationfrom the wireless hardware sensor; determining, by the computer server,that the other current location is not a pre-defined location in a groupof previously designated pre-defined locations; sending, by the computerserver, information indicative of the other current location to theshipper computer device; and updating, by the computer server, a groupof previously designated pre-defined locations to include the othercurrent location.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:determining, by the computer server, that the other current location isnot a pre-defined location in a group of previously designatedpre-defined locations; sending, by the computer server, informationindicative of the other current location to the shipper computer device;and updating, by the computer server, a group of previously designatedpre-defined locations to include the other current location.
 20. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving sensor information fromthe wireless hardware sensor, and determining a trigger event based onthe sensor information, wherein the sensor information includes at leastone of environmental information, movement information, orientationinformation, or electrically based information and the trigger eventincludes at least one of the shipment exiting a location, a delay of theshipment at an intermediate location, travel after a delay, an accidentor other condition of a delivery vehicle for the shipment, and a type ofdeviation.